Question: I am a 51-year-old female. I had surgery for an Achilles repair on Feb. 5. 2010 and now I am suffering from a lost sense of smell after heel surgery. Since my surgery, my sense of smell has been greatly diminished. For example, I just finished emptying a garbage can full of old wet gutter debris by shovel into other containers. Something that should have been awful for me to smell and I can say I barely smelled it. I don’t know if there are some things I can smell or if it is just sometimes I can smell. I have smelled coffee brewing, and it seems like I can smell a vanilla hand soap that I have. It makes no sense to me, and I would really love to find out if there is something I can do, or that can be done. Within reason. I don’t know if my weight would have anything to do with it, but I am probably about 70 to 80 pounds overweight. Thanks for any help or advice you can give me.
MK
Answer:
The loss of the sense of smell can be a devastating problem. Smell is important not just for the enjoyment of food and activities of life, but for safety – avoiding fire and spoiled foods. Smell can be lost because of nasal congestion- in that case, air does not reach the smell fibers, or due to damage to the fibers themselves. Damage can occur after trauma, and upper respiratory infection, or for reasons unknown. Loss of smell may be more common in those who are overweight and can occur after any type of nasal surgery. I am not sure that there is a known relationship to your recent heel surgery.
This should, however, be evaluated. One needs to be sure that there is no growth obstructing the smell fibers or damaging them directly. The nasal cavity should be evaluated to make sure there is no unusual congestion. Most otolaryngologists (ear nose and throat doctors) can do the appropriate evaluations and recommend therapy if indicated. We, of course, would be happy to see you here at the NY Sinus Center. We refer patients to the Smell and Taste Center at the University of Pennsylvania at times as well.
Robert L. Pincus MD
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no known direct relationship between Achilles surgery and loss of the sense of smell. Smell loss is typically related to nasal or neurological issues rather than orthopedic procedures. However, it is important to undergo an evaluation to rule out other causes.
Loss of smell can be caused by nasal congestion that prevents air from reaching smell fibers, damage to these fibers due to trauma or infection, or unknown reasons. Being overweight may also increase risk, and nasal surgeries can contribute. Evaluation by a healthcare professional is essential.
Evaluation typically includes examination of the nasal cavity to check for obstructions such as growths or congestion that might block smell fibers. An otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor) is qualified to perform these assessments and recommend appropriate therapy.
Loss of smell may be more common in individuals who are overweight, though the exact mechanism is not fully understood. Weight-related health factors might influence nasal function or neurological pathways related to smell.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause. If nasal congestion or obstruction is identified, addressing these issues may restore smell. In some cases, specialized therapies from smell and taste centers, like the University of Pennsylvania's Smell and Taste Center, might be recommended.
Yes, it is important to consult an otolaryngologist to properly evaluate the cause of smell loss. Early diagnosis can help identify treatable conditions, improve quality of life, and ensure safety.
